Just an hour between getting to Marshside and the light disappearing completely this afternoon - winter birding can be a drag.
Still it was better than being in an office I suppose.
Clear skies and little wind, but the place was already shutting down for the day, with three Little Egrets on Marshside Two and a further three visible on the outer marsh, a few hundred Pink Feet and plenty of Blackwits, Lapwing and Wigeon.
Ruff and what looked like a few Dunlin at the very back of the marsh, but the light was already going.
Two Stonechats and Merlin on the outer marsh, and as dusk crept in, about 1,000 Pink Feet arrived to roost at the edge of the vegetation.
Feelin' chilled, I made a foolish attempt to digiscope a sequence of Kestrel shots as the bird drifted by me, and then remembered why it was such a bad idea when your camera is only held to the lens.
Fella has got to know his limitations I suppose.
A quick look at Marshside One revealed a nice roost of 1,000+ Golden Plovers building at the top end, with Lapwing, Snipe and Blackwits.
Yup, apart from the constant roar of the growing tide of commuter traffic, all rather peaceful, and sometimes that's no bad thing.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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At Ravenmeols woodlands, Formby, this afternoon: a Woodcock flushed and a Crossbill flew north.
Thanks for stuff about Taggs Island the other day. Visited today, those Brent Geese (3) still there. 2 Yellowhammers and loads of Stonechat; but no Snipe, Jack or plain. Flocks of Linnet.
Got attacked by a Staffordshire; is this usual?
I can honestly say that the worst that's ever happened to me at Taggs Simon is the odd soaking when I've waded into one of the deeper channels.
Hope the Staff attack wasn't too serious...next time, belt it with your tripod.
"Kinda Peaceful" summed up my day at Marshside last Friday - well put together John - Hope for little more luck on Thursday this week when we hope to find Twite and that Ibis before we head off to Martin Mere for 10.00 opening
I'm afraid being attacked by uncontrolled dogs on the Sefton Coast is commonplace these days. I've lost count of the number of incidents; earler this year I had a pair of trousers written off at Marshside. Several sheep have also been killed in the dune grazing plots. Speak softly but carry a big stick!
We need a "Richard Dawkins "or "Christopher Hitchens" to do for dog-lovers, particularly the "my fido can do no wrong/is just saying hello" type.
There are also the "lovers", usually nocturnal dog walkers who let their incontinent mutts c--- in the street.
A 100 quid a year dog-licence might help,
Ron